Community Profile

The Town of Bethlehem is a modern community with its roots in the past. Its location in Albany County, New York offers a unique combination of friendly neighborhoods and rural beauty. It includes the hamlets of:

Delmar

Elsmere

Glenmont

North Bethlehem

Selkirk

Slingerlands

South Bethlehem

Bethlehem is a dynamic and diverse community with a population of over 35,000 and total area of 52 square miles.

The History of Bethlehem
Incorporated in March of 1793, the town is situated on the west bank of the Hudson River, bordering Albany, the capital city of New York State. Its location at the crossroads of the northeast allows easy access to New York city, Boston, and Montreal, all of which are just hours away by car or rail.

Parks
The nearby Adirondack, Catskill, and Berkshire mountains offer skiers, hikers, and climbers world-class facilities, while boaters and water sports enthusiasts have Lake George and Lake Placid practically at their fingertips. There are open fields with the Helderberg Mountains

Life in Bethlehem
Bethlehem offers high-quality school systems, excellent recreational facilities for young and old, and superb programs and services at a cost that is both reasonable and fair to taxpayers. Its blend of suburban neighborhoods, rural life, and commercial enterprises make it a pleasant, attractive, and enjoyable community for businesses and residents alike.

Business Thrives in Bethlehem
According to MONEY Magazine, our area is in the top 25 great American towns. MONEY Magazine and CNN / Money spent months looking for areas "where you would want to raise your children and celebrate life's milestones." Thanks to its low crime rate, high scores in education, low commute time, access to arts and leisure, and more, we ranked 22nd in the country as a great American town.